General Description

A robust catshark with a broadly rounded snout; skin rough with widely-spaced denticles; labial furrows absent. Brownish to greyish a darker blotched or mottled pattern and a broad dark saddle on the back between the eye and the pectoral in base; belly with a dark median stripe. Length to 1.5 m, most below 1 m.

Biology

When caught, this slow-moving species "puffs" up its body by inflating its stomach with air or water. Females lay yellowish egg cases with distinct transverse ridges and long spirally tendrils that attach to seaweed or sessile invertebrates in the bottom. The young sharks hatch after about 12 months.

Habitat

On sandy bottoms and rocky reefs in bays, harbours and along the coast, to depths of about 60 m.

Reefs

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Sharks and rays › Sharks

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

1.5 m

Diet

Carnivore

Harmful

Although considered harmless to humans, has the potential to bite.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Least Concern